Growth Response, Meat Yield and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers Fed Beniseed (Sesamum indicum) and Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) Leaves as Sources of Lysine

Abstract

Aims: One hundred and thirty five day old Arbor Acres broiler chicks with an average weight of 40g were fed beniseed and drumstick leaves as sources of lysine during eight weeks in order to evaluate growth response, meat yield and carcass characteristics. Study Design: The trial design was completely randomized (CRD). Place and Duration of Study: The trial was conducted between June-July 2010 in the Poultry unit at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigera State. Methodology: The birds were randomly allocated into three experimental groups with forty five birds per treatment. Each treatment had three replicates with fifteen birds per replicate. The dietary treatments contained 0.2% lysine (T1), 6% beniseed powder (T2), and 15% drumstick leave powder (T3). The amount of beniseed powder and drumstick leave powder was calculated to supply the same lysine level that the control diet (0.2% lysine). Results: At the end of the feeding trial body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were not significantly among experimental groups (P>0.05). The crude fiber digestibility was significantly different (P<0.05). The average live weight of the birds, breast, back and wing were significantly different among groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that 6% beniseed powder and 15% drumstick leave powder can substitute 0.20% industrial lysine in broilers diets for optimum performance of broilers.